A/N: A quick thank you to everyone on all the sites who have reviewed this story. I said earlier that it was going to follow the course of the show but now I think I might have my own idea and put my own spin on things.

-KSuz

Abby had been in Medical with Jackson for hours now. Raven was able to walk a little but she would need a brace and that was not sitting well with her. Abby had seen a few other patients through the day and had just sat down to do some paperwork. Marcus had checked on her at lunch bringing her some food, making sure she ate and stayed hydrated. He had said that he was coming up with a punishment for her that would not harm the baby. Their conversation was quick because he did not want to seem too suspicious.

The door to Medical opened and Byrne entered with two men behind her.

"Doctor Griffin come with us." She said.

"What's this about?" Abby questioned, her voice shaky.

"You know damn well what it's about Abby." Byrne snarled.

"Did the Chancellor order this?" Abby asked.

"Yes"Byrne lied "you need to come with us."

"No." Abby said firmly.

One of the men behind Byrne walked over to Abby and pulled her up. Cuffing her hands behind her back and walking her to the door.

"Abby what do I do?" Jackson panicked from where he sat across the room.

"Find Marcus!" Abby screamed as they drug her down the hall. There was no way they were going to harm her baby.

Jackson rushed out of the room and pounded on the door to Kane's office.

"Come in!" Marcus called sitting at his desk.

Jackson opened the door, "Sir." He gasped out of breath.

Marcus stood up once he saw it was Jackson, "What is it?"

"It's Abby, Byrne has taken her."

"No." Marcus growled pushing past Jackson and charging down the hall. With every step he could feel his heart beating faster. He needed to save her, save them. He knew Byrne had done this just to spite him. He was in the process of coming up with a suitable punishment for Abby. Now all he cared about was getting her somewhere safe.

As he stepped outside he saw the crowd of people gathered in the center of the camp. He walked closer he saw Abby standing there, her hands tied up, Byrne was to her right.

"AbigailGriffin" Byrne started to say.

"Enough!" Marcus called out.

The crowd all turned to look at him as he made his way to Abby.

"She didn't hurt you did she?" He asked brushing a lose strand of hair from her face.

"No." Abby whispered.

Marcus began to untie her, "This is not acceptable."

"But Sir she's guilty." Byrne protested.

He ignored her until he had Abby free and wrapped her in his jacket.

"Abby didn't help those kids escape, I did." He said.

Gasps emerged from the crowd as Marcus turned to face the people.

"It's true I did it. I committed a crime and as the law states I should be punished."

Abby stood next to him biting her lip as she shook with fear. Why was he doing this for her? He knew what he would have to endure and she couldn't let him.

"Marcus." She protested.

"It's okay Abby I need to pay for what I have done." He turned to one of the guards, "String me up already."

The man looked to Byrne for guidance, "Sir you can't expect me to believe you did this?" She said frustrated.

"I did it Major."

Abby stood back and watched as the men restrained Marcus she hugged is coat close to her body surrounding herself with his scent.

"Marcus Kane, for aiding and abetting juvenile delinquent's and arming them with weapons. You are sentenced to ten lashings." Byrne ordered.

Abby closed her eyes tightly as she heard Marcus scream from the first lashing. She knew he was trying to be strong but she could not imagine the pain he was going through. As the punishment continued her hands rested on her stomach underneath his coat, as if she too was protecting their child.

In a blur of events it was over. Byrne had surrendered and told her men to release Marcus. As they freed him he fell to the ground in a crumpled mess, he was weak. Abby had never seen him in such a state, he was the strong one. She waited a few moments and let the crowd clear before she ran to him.

"Marcus" she gasped lifting his head to look at her. "Shhh" she said "can you walk?"

He nodded slightly and she struggled to help him up. Marcus tried his best not to put all of his weight on her fragile figure but all the strength had been taken from him. He had vowed to never let Abby see his weakness but now that vow had been broken.

Abby had debated as to whether or not she should take him to Medical or his quarters. His room was closer so that is where she chose. They stepped into the room and she helped him sit on the bed.

"Stay." She ordered before leaving to retrieve some supplies. While she was gone Marcus thought of what he had just done. On the Ark he would have never done such a thing. But here on Earth he was becoming a changed man for the better. He was going to be the father he never had.

Abby returned with some medicine and bandages placing him on the bed. Her hands fell to his shirt, "I need to take it off." She said.

He nodded accepting her help as she lifted it over his head. Abby gasped at the marks on his back, "No."

"Don't" he said.

She grabbed a warm wash cloth and dabbed at the bloody wounds. He flinched with every touch and did his best not to show her his pain.

"You don't have to be the tough guy, it's just us." She said pressing the cloth onto one of the wounds.

"I'm sorry you have to see this." He told her.

"Marcus shut up." She said pressing a bandage to his back.

"You shouldn't have seen any of that."

"Why? I can handle it."

"No it's not that."

"Then what is it?" She came around to look him in the eyes.

"You can't see me like this."

Her face fell, "Maybe I like this Marcus better than the old one." She smiled grabbing another bandage.

She finished cleaning and bandaging his wounds in silence. It was another one of their comfortable silences, just their breathing to fill the air. When she had finished Abby ran her hands down his back, she hated herself for doing this to him. She bent and whispered in his ear, "If anyone's sorry it should be me."

Marcus felt tingles run down his spine at her breath on his skin. Having her close always sent fire through his veins. He grabbed her hand and pulled her around to sit on his lap. Their faces just inches from each other's.

"Abby" he breathed "what's done is done."

Her hand cupped his face, "I wish there was something I could do."

"You've done enough."

She ran her hand down his bare chest feeling his hot skin against her cold fingers.

Marcus lifted her chin slightly and brought her lips to his. It was another soft and passionate kiss. Abby closed her eyes letting her hands roam through his hair. Marcus rested his hand on the small of her back keeping her close to him. Abby moaned once she pulled away, "What are we doing?"

He looked at her flushed cheeks, "I love you Abby Griffin."

Those words hit her like bricks.

Jake had been the only man to ever tel her those three little words. Those three very important life changing words. Now he had said them to her and she didn't know if she could say it back. Did she love him too? She liked being with him, he made her feel safe. He knew her better than she knew herself most times. They had their ups and downs and their relationship was far from smooth sailing but was it love?

"I'm sorry" Marcus apologized after seeing her startled expression.

"No" Abby shook her head "Marcus, you drive me absolutely crazy. Most days I can't even stand you and the thought of being near you makes me want to scream. You're arrogant and egotistical. But somehow I find myself wanting you. Wanting this incredibly strong, sexy man with great hair." She smiled.

He could not believe his ears, she was actually in her own way saying she loved him too.

"Abby, you infuriate me. You're attitude and determination to get what you want ignites my fire. You know all the buttons to press to get me riled up. You've got one hell of a nerve when you talk to me. I find myself craving the sassy Doctor with the incredibly soft skin that I need to feel beneath my fingertips." He kissed her again not waiting for a reply.

This time it was hard and rough, he wanted her and he was not letting her get away.

Abby pushed him away lightly, "Wait."

"What is it?" He asked confused.

"I love you too." She admitted.

Marcus grinned pulling her to him once more. It had finally happened, they were where they belonged. They knew that there was still a long road ahead of them but right then and there all they cared about was being in each other's company. There love had been declared, their love had been unavoidable from day one. It was inevitable.